Christmas exhibit at Simpson Co. History Center brings nostalgia to visitors
BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- A sentimental scene is set inside the Simpson County History Center right now. An exhibit that might take you back to a Christmas long ago. Hundreds of antique toys lay under and around a Christmas tree for everyone to enjoy this year.
President of Simpson County Historical Society, Dr. James Henry Snider, says “We need to learn from our history, and there is reading history, but people are interested in seeing ‘Oh this is what they played with,’ or ‘This is what they had.'”
Years ago, toys did not light up or move around the way they do today, but these nostalgic toys, especially under the Christmas tree bring back memories to visitors.
Snider says, “It’s always nice to see older people that have memories and say, ‘Oh, I had one of those,’ or ‘I’m so glad to see that again.’ But I think it’s more fun when you see kids come in, and get excited. We’ve had people from all ages within our community and then from around the world, and they all seemed interested in what we’ve got.”
The collection of antique toys is made up of donations from people in the community. Things that they did not want anymore, but could not bring themselves to throw away. Snider adds, “People see what we’ve got and they say, “I’ve got, do you want?” Most of these have been donated from different people, some of the stuff behind us, the little red wagon actually was mine.”
The free exhibit inside the Historical Center in Franklin is open Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. The center is always looking for antiques to add to its collection, whether a donation of old toys or anything of local interest.
